FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2014, file photo, Florida State's quarterback Jameis Winston warms up prior to an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in Raleigh, N.C. Florida State University released a document Friday morning, Oct. 10, 2014, defending itself in the handling of the sexual assault investigation of quarterback Jameis Winston, detailing its own timeline of events. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)

FILE - In this July 20, 2014, file photo, Florida State's Jameis Winston answers a question during a news conference at the Atlantic Coast Conference Football kickoff in Greensboro, N.C. Florida State University released a document Friday morning, Oct. 10, 2014, defending itself in the handling of the sexual assault investigation of quarterback Jameis Winston, detailing its own timeline of events. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston smiles as he walks off the field after his team's 38-20 win over Syracuse in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2014, file photo, Florida State's quarterback Jameis Winston warms up prior to an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in Raleigh, N.C. Florida State University released a document Friday morning, Oct. 10, 2014, defending itself in the handling of the sexual assault investigation of quarterback Jameis Winston, detailing its own timeline of events. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)

FILE - In this July 20, 2014, file photo, Florida State's Jameis Winston answers a question during a news conference at the Atlantic Coast Conference Football kickoff in Greensboro, N.C. Florida State University released a document Friday morning, Oct. 10, 2014, defending itself in the handling of the sexual assault investigation of quarterback Jameis Winston, detailing its own timeline of events. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston smiles as he walks off the field after his team's 38-20 win over Syracuse in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The adviser for the family of Jameis Winston has asked Florida State why it has chosen now to engage in the Title IX process and accuses the school of trying to protect its own interests and responding to media pressure, according to a letter obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press.

Florida State announced last week it will use an independent official in a student code of conduct hearing. A female student said Winston sexually assaulted her in December 2012.

Attorney David Cornwell notes in a letter that university and federal policy requires a timely investigation. He asks university officials why Florida State has ignored those guidelines and writes that Winston deserves a prompt explanation.

Winston was never arrested and Florida State Attorney Willie Meggs declined to press charges against Winston last December due to a lack of evidence.

The AP does not identify people who say they are victims of sexual abuse.

No date has been set for the university hearing. Florida State has notified Winston that the hearing will be held to be determined if four sections of the code of conduct have been violated, two for sexual misconduct, two for endangerment. The quarterback has five class days from last Friday to respond to the university.

Florida State spokeswoman Browning Brooks Tuesday declined comment beyond what the university released in its timeline last week. However, she referred to two passages in the release that she said explains the delay in which Cornwell is inquiring about.

In the release, Florida State said the athletic department did not file a report with the Title IX administrator or Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities after Winston and two other student-athletes that were present said the sex was consensual. The decision was based on that and the Tallahassee Police Department’s decision not to press charges in January 2013.

The university also said because the Victims Advocate Program continued to have “confidential interactions” with the woman for months, they were “duty-bound not to share any of the information with FSU Title IX officials.”

The university stated that the woman was not made available for an interview with the school until Aug. 6, 2014. The woman’s lawyers have maintained that she was willing to talk throughout the process.

Alabama

TE FREITAG WAIVES RIGHT TO MONEY: In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Alabama player Kurt Freitag waived any right to nearly $5,000 seized during a drug investigation.

Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge Brad Almond on Tuesday ordered the money turned over to the District Attorney and the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force.

Court documents filed Monday showed that authorities had seized 112 grams of marijuana and $4,661 from the sophomore tight end’s dorm room Oct. 7. No criminal charges have been filed.

Freitag signed a waiver saying that he would not contest the forfeiture of the money.

Around the nation

Louisville sophomore quarterback Will Gardner will start in Saturday’s game against North Carolina State. Gardner had started Louisville’s first four games before hurting his knee against FIU. ... Illinois assistant Ryan Cubit is awaiting school discipline after his DUI arrest Sunday morning, according to the Chicago Tribune. ... Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said he has “all the confidence” in quarterback Justin Thomas, who threw two interceptions in last week’s 31-25 home loss to Duke.